Parents

Why Does My Child Get Nosebleeds?

My daughter gets frequent nosebleeds. Any idea what's causing this or how to make them stop for good?
– Val

A nosebleed once in a while is common, and can happen in kids for many reasons (including having a dry nose or nosepicking).

To help prevent nosebleeds:

Keep your child's nails short to prevent injuries from nosepicking.

Keep the inside of her nose moist with saline (saltwater) nasal spray or dab a light coating of petroleum jelly gently around the opening of the nostrils.

Keep the air moist in your daughter's bedroom with a cool-mist humidifier (clean it often to prevent mildew buildup).

However, if your daughter has frequent, heavy, or hard-to-stop nosebleeds, call your doctor. Having a lot of nosebleeds sometimes can be a sign of a problem, such as a bleeding disorder. Even if your child only has occasional nosebleeds but also bruises easily or bleeds easily from other areas, like the gums, let the doctor know.